“The Unmaking of June Farrow” has left me speechless. I could not put this book down. I lost sleep over trying to understand the mysteries folded into this story. The writing style and world-building were eery and addicting. I absolutely loved “Spells for Forgetting,” Adrienne Young’s first adult novel. A perfect combination of all my favorite elements to a story - mystery, romance, and magic. All those elements apply to this novel as well, yet so distinct and unique from Spells. I will not reveal anything to you about this plot because the journey of all the pieces coming together was so intriguing and beautiful. All I will mention is “Timeless” by Taylor Swift.

Thank you very much Adrienne Young for this story. Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Like Adrienne Young's last genre-blending adult title, Spells for Forgetting, The Unmaking of June Farrow features accessible, readable prose with moments of beauty and clarity, and tips its hat to a few genres. Part historic fiction, part time-travel fantasy, and part mystery, there is a lot of draw potential readers in. Young's protagonist, the titular June Farrow, is a more delicate and understated character. Fans of punchy and forceful main characters might struggle to connect with June, but I found her to be intriguing enough to follow.

Unfortunately, this book stumbled quite a bit. Young seemed to struggle balancing the many threads of this story. While time travel features heavily and the main character spends the majority of the story in a decade not her own, it rarely feels immersive enough to come across as historic fiction. Other than the occasional mention of clothing or decoration, there's not a strong grounding in the time period. Likewise, the romantic subplot falls short. There is a lack of believability behind Eamon's change of heart regarding June. There is not much on June's side either, besides physical attraction and arising memories. When they do get together, it had me asking why. It didn't feel earned. The romance got even more muddled by what felt like an attempt at a love triangle? I'm still questioning the presence of the odd interludes into a parallel June's emerging relationship with another man. Halfhearted at best, these mentions were sparse, seemingly random, and felt out-of-place. At no point did this element assert itself as strong enough to potentially threaten the obvious conclusion of who June would end up with.

The various mystery elements, including the main whodunit question in the book, are where Young shines strongest in this release. The mystery is engaging and interesting, and will really have you piecing together clues. Central to this mystery subplot, however, is another area where Young seems to have stumbled. Young seems to have had a bone to pick with religion in this book. Critiques of religion can be wonderful and compelling additions to literature, but in this case it felt forceful. It's never explained why the religious people in town dislike the Farrows--this is told to the reader, it seems, merely to establish how bad the religious people are. Likewise the reader is told repeatedly, long before they are shown, how bad and evil the villain (a religious figure) is. Young's handling of this element simply felt poorly done. It lacked nuance; it lacked clarity. It seemed to be a way for her to express some personal dislike, but it really didn't do the story any service.

Thanks, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of The Unmaking of June Farrow in exchange for a review.

Let me start by saying I liked this more than Spells for Forgetting. I was quickly invested in the story from the beginning, and I liked June. I’ve encountered a few whiny, female lead characters recently and it was refreshing.

The story did drag a bit in the middle, but the end was well thought out and wrapped up nicely.

Overall, 3.5 ⭐️. I’d definitely own a copy for my personal library.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book! Adrienne Young has really nailed enchanted world building, and I was captivated by this book that somehow managed to contain all the elements of a fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and a murder mystery. It took a while for the book to really come together (in part due to the development of the main character), but there were twists I weren’t expecting, endings that were bitter sweet, and the overarching power of a mother’s love. Really enjoyed and looking forward to what else the author has to offer!

What a heartbreakingly beautiful story. I have never read a book quite like this one. It is a story about family and risking everything to protect the ones you love that has resonated with me so deeply. Days later and I’m still thinking about it.

What to expect:
Atmospheric writing
Small town
Murder/mystery
Time travel
Love/Family relationships

I devoured this book! The writing and character growth, the complex relationships and the world. Every element was executed to perfection. And the tears! So many tears! 😭

I don’t want to say too much and spoil anything. I went into this one blind and I don’t know what I was expecting but it definitely wasn’t this (in the best way possible, of course!)

I highly recommend adding this one to your tbr 🖤

Release date: October 17, 2023

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

This is the best book I’ve read this year and I’ve read 300 so far. Words cannot express the feelings it elicited in me. I’m still speechless from it and I finished it almost 24 hours ago. I’m going to leave a review on goodreads once I can regain my thoughts and I’ll post on Insta under liadanblue and grimreadersbookcult once it’s released. Seriously, I want to be buried with this book, it was that good.

Finishing this book just a few minutes ago, I’m left heartbroken that it ended. From start to finish I was absolutely enthralled with the interwoven words and stunning writing from the author. It captured my attention from the very start and held me throughout, which is something to applaud for books like this. It kept me constantly guessing and eager to find out how it was all tied up. I can safely say I’ll be recommending this book for forever and on. The ending had me tearing up and jaw dropped. Literally CAN NOT WAIT to reread this when it comes out!!!! My new favorite.

It isn't often that a book captures my whole heart.

"The Unmaking of June Farrow" is a rare gem of a novel that slowly pulls you in so intensely that you can almost envision yourself as the heroine, and Adrienne Young is easily becoming an instant buy author for me. Her lyrical stories allow you to step into the book and live alongside her characters, without being overwhelmed with trivial details.

June Farrow comes from a long line of cursed women and she has vowed to be the last. Raised by her grandmother after her mother's disappearance when she was 7 months old, June always knew that the curse would come for her - but she didn't realize it would be so soon. After the death of her grandmother she is the last Farrow daughter and her determination to end the curse is met with more questions than answers. Why did her grandmother send her a photo of her mother dated decades before her birth? What causes their minds to slowly unravel - like a fraying rope? As June confesses the progress of her mental deteretion, she is shocked to find that her Grandmother's oldest friend encourages her to walk through the door she was sure until that moment only existed in her mind. Birdie tells her that it is only through the door that she'll find those answers.

This book pulled me in and I didn't want it to end. Captivating and emotional, this book is an absolute must read and I can't wait until publish so I can add another brilliant story to my shelves.
So appreciative to be an ARC reader on this one, and will recommend this book to anyone that will listen to me!

I adored this book! I think this is my favorite by her so far. The storyline is so fun, and the mystery of what will happen keeps you guessing right up to the last chapter.

So thankful to Random House for this one.

Fable was my first Adrienne Young book, and the sequel nor last year's Spells For Forgetting have disappointed. This newest one was no different. I absolutely loved the story of the Farrow women. The women were strong characters and the writing was wonderfully done.

I honestly cannot say a lot because if I go too much into the story it is a spoiler, as the synopsis does not give this part away. Let's just say I highly recommend.

I think this was a very enjoyable read and definitely a page turner. I liked that it was a mystery and a romance and had a magic twist. I ended up really liking June but wish that more time had been spent on her relationship with Mason and her time in the future. I've always loved a creative pull everything together in a unique way ending, but there was something about this one that didn't quite work for me though I'm not exactly sure why.

The story of June Farrow is haunting and unputdownable!

The Unmaking of June Farrow is a complicated story woven with mystery.
Through the pages, ghosts haunt the living—ghosts of lives never lived and those yet to be born.

“I couldn’t stop thinking that where we stood was the center of something, a place that
created the kind of gravity that makes galaxies.”

For as long as can be remembered, the Farrow women have been cursed. The townsfolk call it “madness.” Some call it delusion. Others think there is something broken in the Farrow’s.

Jasper is a small town with devastating secrets. June Farrow is determined to let those secrets die. No other Farrow will be dealt the same cruel hand of fate again. The Farrow line must end with her.

However, as the past comes to haunt June with a vengeance, she must make a choice…

Take a leap of faith or deny the truth unfolding in front of her.

What she decides will change the course of history, her history, and her life—forever.

All in all, The Unmaking of June Farrow is a decent enough novel. The story is quite compelling, while the characters are easy to fall in love with. Unfortunately, it was not for me.

I decided to take a chance on this novel because I love Adrienne Young’s writing. This story is no different. Young masterfully crafts novels of brilliance and beauty.

However, my mind clashed with the story Young was trying to tell. The parallels between my own life and the book Young’s crafted do not coexist well with one another. I cannot give a “proper” rating for this book because I do not have the frame of mind to open up and truly experience this story.

That being said, the highlights I could hold onto were radiant. Young has crafted an intricate and delicate web of time. The Unmaking of June Farrow is the story of a woman whose life has been fractured. Left to sort out the mystery of herself, June walks a path few others can follow. Everything that happens is because of June’s resilience and strength.

Only you, dear reader, can decide if this book is for you. I recommend taking a chance on June and her story. You never know, what may not have been for me could be the very thing you need.

A Massive Thank You to the Author, the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book prior to its release date.

I loved this so much! Adrienne Young really seems to understand magical realism and weird family dynamics. I loved the kind of time travel aspect of this story and I loved the characters. The author did an awesome job hitting you with a twist and then wrapping it all up well. There was strong emotion, mystery, grief, and love in this story and the author did a great job piecing that all together. I don't think this story is necessarily set in fall, but this book gives that early fall feel to me, like Spells for Forgetting felt like early September to me and this one does too.

Wow! I devoured this book in one day! The Unmaking of June Farrow is a genre-bending tale filled with magic, mystery, love and family. It was hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking. The magical element had me a bit confused at first, but when it finally clicked, I was awestruck. This book was brilliantly written. I was completely captivated by the story and the twists were unreal. My first by Adrienne Young and it won't be my last! I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to the author, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review!

The Unmaking of June Farrow
by Adrienne Young
Pub Date: 17 Oct 2023

In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm—and the mysterious curse that has plagued their family line. The whole town remembers the madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance, leaving June to be raised by her grandmother and haunted by rumors.

It’s been a year since June started seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Faint wind chimes, a voice calling her name, and a mysterious door appearing out of nowhere—the signs of what June always knew was coming. But June is determined to end the curse once and for all, even if she must sacrifice finding love and having a family of her own.

After her grandmother’s death, June discovers a series of cryptic clues regarding her mother’s decades-old disappearance, except they only lead to more questions. But could the door she once assumed was a hallucination be the answer she’s been searching for? The next time it appears, June realizes she can touch it and walk past the threshold. And when she does, she embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but also uncover the lingering mysteries of her small town and entangle her heart in an epic star-crossed love.

With The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young delivers a brilliant novel of romance, mystery, and a touch of the impossible—a story you will never forget.

I literally couldn’t put this book down and read it one day. Now I am in a major book hangover. The style with which Adrienne Young composes a book is utterly compelling and I want to live in her worlds.

June Farrow was found abandoned by her mother and then raised by her grandmother. Their family is one riddled with madness. June is set to end this familial trait with herself, never entering into a relationship and deciding to never have children. Only, there’s more to their family history than what June knows. But now she is seeing things and hearing things…. And now there is a mysterious door that has appeared out of nowhere.

The next time the door appears, June takes a chance and steps through it. Stepping through the door will change everything – the past, the present and the future.

Again, this book was amazing. This review is hard because I want to say everything that happens, but I refuse to ruin this story for anyone!

June Farrow is as strong and brave as she is afraid. This is an epic tale that spans time that holds as many mysteries as it does its answers. This book has everything you could ask for – romance, mystery and a touch of magic. You should download this novel immediately – you will not be disappointed. I am only disappointed in how little I could articulate a review without spoiling anything.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review this. Adrienne Young has become my favorite author.

The Unmaking of June Farrow… First THANK YOU to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this masterpiece.

Now, I didn’t know what to expect from this novel after reading Spells. I’ve devotedly read all of Adrienne’s work the moment it is released, and Spells did not land for me; I did not connect to that story, or its characters.

Let me eat my words there because Adrienne wrote with a hauntingly astute beauty of small and poignant detail for The Unmaking of June Farrow and those details me followed me into sleep. Never have I felt so grounded, so aware and a part of a character’s world—in any genre. It has in fact taken me days to work up the words for this review and still, I do not think it will do justice.

Mystery, romance, and magic weave together in a heart-wrenching tale of what a mother will do when it comes to her child, and the heartbreak and loss that can accompany those choices. If I read that line alone, this isn’t a book I’d typically pick up (not being a mother myself) but good god would I have missed out.

Read it, love it, love Eamon (because I can’t write a review without doting on #TheMan) and love June because she deserves it.

I really enjoyed this book and the story it told. It was easy to follow and kept me interested in what was happening. It was a fun puzzle to put together and while I saw some of it coming there will still pieces that surprised me. I loved the writing style it was beautiful and dispute being a story about time travel which is notoriously complicated it was actually really easy to follow. I liked the openness of the ending but did feel that it was a little abrupt in some ways and could have been built out a little bit more but beyond that a really enjoyable read.

🤍 Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for the e-arc of The Unmaking of June Farrow 🤍

This book was utterly captivating and completely immersive. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop!

The story was so unique and all the threads that Adrienne Young wove together were amazing.

It was twisty and had one of my favorite tropes ever! The romance was perfection, the mystery was eery, and the book was just magical.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: mild open door/fade to black
Our October 17th
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TW: graphic murder, mentions of su**ide